To turn on location on Android, open the Settings app and go to Location, then switch on Use location. This enables your device to provide location data to apps like Maps for navigation and other location-based services.
How to turn on location on Android
The primary method to enable location services works the same across all Android versions. Follow these steps to turn on the main location toggle:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap Location.
- Turn the Use location switch on.
Once enabled, your phone will use a combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks to determine your position. This allows apps to function correctly for navigation, weather updates, and finding nearby places.
How to improve location accuracy with GPS
For more precise location data, you can enable additional settings that improve GPS accuracy. The steps differ slightly depending on your Android version. Google's location settings page explicitly covers Android 12 and higher and Android 11 and lower for Improve Location Accuracy.
On Android 12 and higher
- Open Settings > Location.
- Tap Location Services.
- Tap Location Accuracy.
- Turn Improve Location Accuracy on.
On Android 11 and lower
- Open Settings > Location.
- Tap Advanced.
- Tap Location Accuracy.
- Turn Improve Location Accuracy on.
Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning
Turning on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning helps your device find a faster, more accurate location fix even when Wi-Fi or Bluetooth are turned off. To enable these:
- Open Settings > Location.
- Tap Location Services.
- Turn Wi‑Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning on or off as desired.
These settings allow your phone to scan for nearby networks and devices without fully enabling Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which is useful for improving accuracy when tracking a phone location through standard Phone Location Tracking Methods.
How to manage app location permissions
You can control which apps have access to your location and under what conditions. There are two paths to manage these permissions.
Through Location settings
- Open Settings > Location.
- Tap App location permissions.
- Apps are grouped under Allowed all the time, Allowed only while in use, Ask every time or allow when I share, and Not allowed.
- Tap any app to change its permission level.
Through individual app info
- Touch and hold the app icon on your home screen or app drawer.
- Tap App info.
- Tap Permissions.
- Tap Location and choose the desired option.
These permission groups let you grant location access only while the app is actively in use, all the time, or never. This gives you fine-grained control over privacy while still allowing trusted apps to function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning on location drain my battery faster?
Yes, more frequent location updates use more battery. Android’s developer documentation recommends reducing update frequency and batching requests to conserve power. However, the location settings menu does not include a separate battery-optimization setting for location itself. You can manage battery use by adjusting which apps have location access and how often they request it.
Can I turn off location for specific apps on my Android phone?
Yes. Go to Settings > Location > App location permissions, then tap any app and choose Not allowed to block its location access. You can also use the per-app path: touch and hold the app icon, tap App info > Permissions > Location, and select Deny.
How can I ensure my privacy while using location services?
Review which apps have location access in Settings > Location > App location permissions. Set apps you don't trust to Not allowed or Ask every time. For apps that need location only while open, choose Allowed only while in use. You can also turn off the main Use location toggle when you don't need location services at all.
Will turning on Improve Location Accuracy affect my data usage?
Improve Location Accuracy uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning to refine GPS position. It does not consume mobile data on its own, but apps that use your location may use data to download maps or other location-based content. The scanning itself happens locally on your device.
What is the difference between "High accuracy" and "GPS only" modes?
On older Android versions, you might see a Mode option with choices like High accuracy (uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks) and GPS only (uses only satellite signals). On Android 12 and higher, these modes are replaced by the Improve Location Accuracy toggle. Enabling it provides the equivalent of High accuracy mode for the best location precision.
What does Apple's System Services show for location?
Apple says System Services shows the status for each service, lets you turn system services using location on or off, and can show the status bar indicator when enabled. Apple's location pages apply to iPhone and also mention iPad and watchOS in related support material.
